Tonight was closing night of something very important to me...Beauty and the Beast. I look back on this journey with a very odd feeling. I remember complaining about it from the beginning and not realizing the beauty of this experience until the very end. I complained about being a column, having to look ridiculous and try to maneuver in that creation. But it was shield. A very interesting, and wonderful way for me to do my first acting without singing. To only have that little hole for your face to have expressions...I mean that's acting. And I had something to make me feel safe. I complained about being a spoon, but who doesn't want to be something magical? Why would I ever complain about something where every night I got to sing one of the most famous songs ever(Be Our Guest). I never complained about being a townsperson because my costume rocked. But tonight I made the mob song the angriest it's ever been. I just can't help but think "WOW!" because I know for a fact this show really touched a lot of people. Closing nights are never easy for anyone involved in the show. I know those of you who don't theatre probably can't really understand the sadness one feels when their show closes, but to let you know what it feels like: imagine a piece of you dying. Imagine spending 5 months with people, and then never seeing them again. Imagine that, and that is the closing of a show. Before the show, two of the kids did a little presentation for Shannon(the director) and she cried because of that and during her little closing night speech. Then, we did the show. I'm pretty sure everyone has that feeling of "this is the last I'm ever going to do this or do that". It's a very odd feeling. After "Be Our Guest" I cried. A bunch of people stood up for us. And I just lost it. I know I will feel that amazing feeling again, but not with that song, not with this show. After the show, I signed a couple of autographs then gave up my costumes. Then, went to Yesterdays with the cast. It was pretty fun for awhile, then it became awesome! From about 12:45 to 2 it was Kerri, Kathy Sykes, Shannon, Agnes, Corltin, Kevin, me, Laurel, Jason,Lori C, Louis, Jeff, Lousis' wife, Erin, and Matt. Oooooh boy! Kevin and Kathy did a hilarious, and final, "Lizard'sThicket" skit. Wow. I got it all on video! Then Matt did a really funny think from Madtv. Then we all just did "remember whens" from rehearsals and shows. Oh and Kevin did his stuardist dance. Um...yeah I still love him! Finally, we left. We hugged eachother goodbye then slowly migrated outside then stood out there for awhile then finally parted. On the way home Cortlin and I just talked. Then we got here and I had to hug her goodbye. I hate goodbyes. I really do. I can't stand actually having to say goodbye, but honestly I'm sad watching other people say goodbye to eachother. But to have to part from Cortlin, it sucked. But you do what you have to do. Saying goodbye to Erin was rough to because there's a chance she's moving to Charlotte soon. I know we wouldn't see eachother much even if she was staying here, but now we'll see eachother even less. Kerri for some reason reminds me of a really nice, talented version of my sister, Leslie. So, saying goodbye to her sucked a lot. Saying goodbye to everyone sucked a lot. Oh yeah, Kathy Sykes gave me a basket of corn muffins from Lizards Thicket. Can you believe that? Well, it's a big inside joke so to those of you reading this who weren't in the show you're probably like...okay...but yeah. I really just don't know what to do. I feel so empty and lonely and sad. I mean i know i have other things to do. I have school and dance and voice and "Children's Letters To God". But I'm really going to miss this magical show. I hate the whole "keep in touch" line. or the "I'll see you around". Chances are: you won't. And that bites. Well, yeah, I'm going to go now.